New Delhi, Delhi, India
The doyen of Indian cuisine, J Inder Singh Kalra, fondly known as Jiggs Kalra is no more. Known as the czar of Indian cinema, Kalra started his career as a journalist and in the 1980s became a food consultant.
He was one best-known names in the Indian culinary scenes and was responsible for putting in Indian cuisine on the world map. In his illustrious career, he has served the likes of Bill Clinton, Princess Diana, Prince Charles and Atal Bihari Vajpayee. He also authored over 11 books on Indian cuisine, including 'Prashad', which is considered âthe bible for chefsâ.
The legend was a pioneer in his field. The first Asian to be inducted in the International Food and Beverage Gourmet Hall of Fame, he was also the first to conceptualise and host an Indian food-based television series.
He launched restaurants like Masala Library by Jiggs Kalra, Made in Punjab, Farzi Café and Pa Pa Ya.
While there has been no official confirmation on his death from his family so far, Twitter was flooded with tributes for Kalra as journalist and food critic Vir Sanghvi broke the news on Twitter.
"My deepest condolences to â¦@ZorawarKalraâ© & Dildeep.They were the best son & daughter-in-law Jiggs Kalra could ever have hoped for. At this sad time I remember how Zorawar kept his fatherâs legacy alive and turned Jiggsâs name into a global brand.I know how proud Jiggs was.(sic)"
My deepest condolences to â¦@ZorawarKalraâ© & Dildeep.They were the best son & daughter-in-law Jiggs Kalra could ever have hoped for.
At this sad time I remember how Zorawar kept his fatherâs legacy alive and turned Jiggsâs name into a global brand.I know how proud Jiggs was. pic.twitter.com/awYE4PVkFX
â vir sanghvi (@virsanghvi) June 4, 2019
"Goodbye old friend.The great Jiggs Kalra who did so much to rediscover the lost secrets of Indian food and who gave chefs their rightful place in the sun goes off to that great kitchen in the sky to ensure that the gods eat his wonderful food.There will never be another Jiggs(sic)"
Goodbye old friend.The great Jiggs Kalra who did so much to rediscover the lost secrets of Indian food and who gave chefs their rightful place in the sun goes off to that great kitchen in the sky to ensure that the gods eat his wonderful food.There will never be another Jiggs pic.twitter.com/MhgBJ5NLg8
â vir sanghvi (@virsanghvi) June 4, 2019
Filmmaker Hansal Mehta too wrote a heartfelt tribute for Kalra.
RIP Jiggs Kalra. Thank you for introducing me to Indian food and it's treasure of recipes. All your books adorn my bookshelf and the masala and oil on each page is testimony to how your recipes have shaped my passion for cooking. ???
â Hansal Mehta (@mehtahansal) June 4, 2019
There were others too who paid their tributes to the legend.
Made Indian food, and the palate of Indians, come into their own. RIP https://t.co/kRV2Zo2rd0
â Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) June 4, 2019
Culinary legend,Czar of Indian cuisine the man behind many iconic places padmashri @JiggsKalra no more. My deepest condolences to @ZorawarKalra and family.
RIP Jiggs Kalra! What a culinary legacy and excellence you have elevated indian cuisine. Chef fraternity would miss you. pic.twitter.com/j1wXPGqv7s
â rishiraj rathore (@chefrathoreiihm) June 4, 2019
Rest in peace.... Jiggs Kalra who is also known as the "Czar of Indian Cuisine" and "Taste maker to the Nation", Kalra will make the other world a better place to wine & dine. #JiggsKalra pic.twitter.com/AEVMgMQj6I
â MM (@mridulmahanta) June 4, 2019
Any journo who writes on food would know how sad a day this is. Any human being who loves Indian food and the amazing people behind the art would know how sad a day this is. Farewell #JiggsKalra. There wonât be another Czar of Indian cuisine. Condolences, @ZorawarKalra pic.twitter.com/32yZcXgTGk
â Sonal Kalra (@sonalkalra) June 4, 2019
Kalra is survived by his son, Zorawar Kalra who runs Massive Restaurants Private Limited.